checking if a file exists

What would be the best way to figure out if a certain file exists? I was thinking about using the File System Objects. Does anybody know how to do this?

Quote:

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Originally posted by bezaman
What would be the best way to figure out if a certain file exists? I was thinking about using the File System Objects. Does anybody know how to do this?

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It's a little easier than that:

eg:
this will show a message if the file Test.Txt exists in the folder C:\Temp

If Dir("c:\temp\test.txt") <> "" Then Msgbox "File Exists!"

Here are some functions to check if a file or folder exist.

VB Code:

'*******************************************************************************
'** Function:   FileExists
'** Parameters:
'**     FilePath (String) - the full path of a file
'** Returns: True if the file exists, false otherwise
'*******************************************************************************
Public Function FileExists(FilePath As String) As Boolean
    If Len(FilePath) = 0 Then
        FileExists = False
    Else
        If Len(Dir$(FilePath)) > 0 Then
            FileExists = True
        Else
            FileExists = False
        End If
    End If
End Function
 
 
'*******************************************************************************
'** Function:   DirectoryExists
'** Parameters:
'**     DirectoryPath (String) - the full path of a directory
'** Returns: True if the directory exists, false otherwise
'*******************************************************************************
Public Function DirectoryExists(DirectoryPath As String) As Boolean
    If Len(DirectoryPath) = 0 Then
        DirectoryExists = False
    Else
        If Len(Dir$(DirectoryPath, vbDirectory)) > 0 Then
            DirectoryExists = True
        Else
            DirectoryExists = False
        End If
    End If
End Function

Ive had mixed results using Dir for detecting presence of files (I have seen it "lie"). Anyway I came across this on the forums and it hasnt let me down yet:

VB Code:

Public Declare Function PathFileExists Lib "shlwapi.dll" _
Alias "PathFileExistsA" (ByVal pszPath As String) As Long
 
Public Function FileExists(strpath As String) As Boolean
    If PathFileExists(strpath) = 1 Then
        FileExists = True
    Else
        FileExists = False
    End If
End Function

Caveat is that shlwapi.dll will show up as a dependency and will be added to your install. When you try to install your app, Windows will complain about shlwapi.dll (in use I think). Anyway, just delete this dll from your install and youll be fine.

I personally use this function (since as Muddy mentions, DIR will lie if you pass it a valid directory instead of a file without checking the attributes)

VB Code:

Private Type FILETIME
   dwLowDateTime As Long
   dwHighDateTime As Long
End Type
 
Private Type WIN32_FIND_DATA
  dwFileAttributes As Long
  ftCreationTime As FILETIME
  ftLastAccessTime As FILETIME
  ftLastWriteTime As FILETIME
  nFileSizeHigh As Long
  nFileSizeLow As Long
  dwReserved0 As Long
  dwReserved1 As Long
  cFileName As String * 260
  cAlternate As String * 14
End Type
 
 
Private Declare Function FindFirstFile Lib "kernel32.dll" _
                Alias "FindFirstFileA" (ByVal lpFileName As String, _
                lpFindFileData As WIN32_FIND_DATA) As Long
Private Declare Function FindClose Lib "kernel32.dll" _
                (ByVal hFindFile As Long) As Long
 
Public Function FindFile(ByVal sSource As String) As Boolean
 
     Dim hsearch As Long 
    Dim findinfo As WIN32_FIND_DATA  
    Dim success As Long  
    Dim Buffer As Long  
    Dim retval As Long  
    
    ' Begin a file search:
    hsearch = FindFirstFile(sSource, findinfo)
    If hsearch = -1 Then  ' no files match the search string
        FindFile = False
    Else
        FindFile = True
    End If
    
      
    ' Close the file search handle
    retval = FindClose(hsearch)
 
End Function

Or if you are still interested in the FSO way :

VB Code:

CHECKS FOR THE EXISTANCE OF A FILE
 
Function FILEEXISTS(ByVal lsFilename As String) As Boolean
    
    On Error Resume Next
    
    Dim FSO As New Scripting.FileSystemObject
    
    FILEEXISTS = FSO.FILEEXISTS(lsFilename)
    
    Set FSO = Nothing
 
End Function
 
' CHECKS FOR THE EXISTANCE OF A FOLDER
 
Function FOLDEREXISTS(ByVal lsFilename As String) As Boolean
    
    On Error Resume Next
    
    Dim FSO As New Scripting.FileSystemObject
    
    FOLDEREXISTS = FSO.FOLDEREXISTS(lsFilename)
    
    Set FSO = Nothing
 
End Function

I fixed the functions I posted before to behave correctly when checking directories....can anyone find anything wrong with them now?

VB Code:

'****************************************************
'** Function:   FileExists
'** Parameters:
'**     FilePath (String) - the full path of a file
'** Returns: True if the file exists, false otherwise
'****************************************************
Public Function FileExists(FilePath As String) As Boolean
    If Len(FilePath) = 0 Then
        FileExists = False
    Else
        If Len(Dir$(FilePath)) > 0 Then
            'Make sure it's not a directory
            If (GetAttr(FilePath) And vbDirectory) <> vbDirectory Then
                FileExists = True
            Else
                FileExists = False
            End If
        Else
            FileExists = False
        End If
    End If
End Function
 
 
'****************************************************
'** Function:   DirectoryExists
'** Parameters:
'**     DirectoryPath (String) - the full path of a directory
'** Returns: True if the directory exists, false otherwise
'****************************************************
Public Function DirectoryExists(DirectoryPath As String) As Boolean
    If Len(DirectoryPath) = 0 Then
        DirectoryExists = False
    Else
        If Len(Dir$(DirectoryPath, vbDirectory)) > 0 Then
            If (GetAttr(DirectoryPath) And vbDirectory) = vbDirectory Then
                DirectoryExists = True
            Else
                DirectoryExists = False
            End If
        Else
            DirectoryExists = False
        End If
    End If
End Function

Hi guys,

i have some slightly complicated issue with file exists.

i need to check the file in multiple level directory structure.

for eg :
i have Directory MAIN
also i have subfolders SUB1, SUB2 inside MAIN
i would like to find a file "findfile.txt" in MAIN, SUB1 and SUB2 folders.

say, i dont know how many subfolders available and also the names fo each folders. this is in my own server. nothing to do with user PC.

is it possible ? if so pls guide me

thanx in advance

look at the DIR function in VB help - it has an example of seraching in sub folders that will do the job with some minor changes ;)

Hi Geek,

thanx for ur valuable suggestion.
i was able to do it

thanx guys !!!

Quote:

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Originally posted by James Stanich
Or if you are still interested in the FSO way :

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I just wish to add that, if you go on FSO way, you need to set the reference first. I got stuck few minutes looking for the right reference, so I though it might be relevant add this comment.

To do it, just go on Project / References and select the "Microsoft Scripting Runtime" one, which shall be located on something like: C:\Windows\System\scrrun.dll

When you pass the path to a file on your CD-Rom drive to the Dir() function but you have no CD inserted, it will bring up a run-time error 52 (filename or -number wrong).

So you better use one of the API functions ;)

I personally like the FindFirstFile() version best, because it works on all Windows versions and without any additional DLLs.

Flo

/edit: corrected the spelling ;)

hi,

u can use filesystemobject to check whether file exists or not

dim fs as new scripting.filesystemobject

msgbox fs.fileexists("c:\test.txt")

Looking all the methods mencioned in this thread, I think you can use one that never fails:

The "DIR" method can fail and the FSO or API method needs references.

Try this one:

VB Code:

Public Function FileExist(strFilename As String) As Boolean
On Error Resume Next
If Len(strFilename) <= 0 Then FileExist = False: Exit Function
Dim ff As Long
ff = FreeFile()
Open strFilename For Input As #ff
If Err Then
FileExist = False
Else
FileExist = True
End If
Close #ff
End Function

This method never fails (I had used it many times in A LOT of programs) and doesn't need any external declaration.

Plz tell me what do you think.

Andy

I know this is an old thread but I have to bring this up.
I have yet to find a way to determin if a folder exists but that it works on hidden folders. For instance they report that the folders like

C:\Windows\Fonts
C:\Documents and Settings\User\Cookies
C:\Documents and Settings\User\Recent
C:\Documents and Settings\User\SendTo

etc...

does anyone know a better way?

Ya, this is an old thread, but here is some code. You can parse the
Users directory from the Favorites dir. Then you will know that
the Cookies, etc. are in that folder too or use the second code
example to get the users dir.

VB Code:

Const CSIDL_DESKTOP = &H0
Const CSIDL_PROGRAMS = &H2
Const CSIDL_CONTROLS = &H3
Const CSIDL_PRINTERS = &H4
Const CSIDL_PERSONAL = &H5
Const CSIDL_FAVORITES = &H6
Const CSIDL_STARTUP = &H7
Const CSIDL_RECENT = &H8
Const CSIDL_SENDTO = &H9
Const CSIDL_BITBUCKET = &HA
Const CSIDL_STARTMENU = &HB
Const CSIDL_DESKTOPDIRECTORY = &H10
Const CSIDL_DRIVES = &H11
Const CSIDL_NETWORK = &H12
Const CSIDL_NETHOOD = &H13
Const CSIDL_FONTS = &H14
Const CSIDL_TEMPLATES = &H15
Const MAX_PATH = 260
Private Type SHI TEMID 'TAKE SPACE OUT
    cb As Long
    abID As Byte
End Type
Private Type ITEMIDLIST
    mkid As SHI TEMID 'TAKE SPACE OUT
End Type
Private Declare Function ShellAbout Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ShellAboutA" (ByVal hWnd As Long, ByVal szApp As String, ByVal szOtherStuff As String, ByVal hIcon As Long) As Long
Private Declare Function SHGetSpecialFolderLocation Lib "shell32.dll" (ByVal hwndOwner As Long, ByVal nFolder As Long, pidl As ITEMIDLIST) As Long
Private Declare Function SHGetPathFromIDList Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "SHGetPathFromIDListA" (ByVal pidl As Long, ByVal pszPath As String) As Long
Private Sub Form_Load()
    'KPD-Team 1998
    'URL: [url]http://www.allapi.net/[/url]
    'E-Mail: [email][email protected][/email]
    'Show an about window
    ShellAbout Me.hWnd, App.Title, "Created by the KPD-Team 1999", ByVal 0&
    'Set the graphical mode to persistent
    Me.AutoRedraw = True
    'Print the folders to the form
    Me.Print "Start menu folder: " + GetSpecialfolder(CSIDL_STARTMENU)
    Me.Print "Favorites folder: " + GetSpecialfolder(CSIDL_FAVORITES)
    Me.Print "Programs folder: " + GetSpecialfolder(CSIDL_PROGRAMS)
    Me.Print "Desktop folder: " + GetSpecialfolder(CSIDL_DESKTOP)
End Sub
Private Function GetSpecialfolder(CSIDL As Long) As String
    Dim r As Long
    Dim IDL As ITEMIDLIST
    'Get the special folder
    r = SHGetSpecialFolderLocation(100, CSIDL, IDL)
    If r = NOERROR Then
        'Create a buffer
        Path$ = Space$(512)
        'Get the path from the IDList
        r = SHGetPathFromIDList(ByVal IDL.mkid.cb, ByVal Path$)
        'Remove the unnecessary chr$(0)'s
        GetSpecialfolder = Left$(Path, InStr(Path, Chr$(0)) - 1)
        Exit Function
    End If
    GetSpecialfolder = ""
End Function

VB Code:

Private Const TOKEN_QUERY = (&H8)
Private Declare Function GetAllUsersProfileDirectory Lib "userenv.dll" Alias "GetAllUsersProfileDirectoryA" (ByVal lpProfileDir As String, lpcchSize As Long) As Boolean
Private Declare Function GetDefaultUserProfileDirectory Lib "userenv.dll" Alias "GetDefaultUserProfileDirectoryA" (ByVal lpProfileDir As String, lpcchSize As Long) As Boolean
Private Declare Function GetProfilesDirectory Lib "userenv.dll" Alias "GetProfilesDirectoryA" (ByVal lpProfileDir As String, lpcchSize As Long) As Boolean
Private Declare Function GetUserProfileDirectory Lib "userenv.dll" Alias "GetUserProfileDirectoryA" (ByVal hToken As Long, ByVal lpProfileDir As String, lpcchSize As Long) As Boolean
Private Declare Function GetCurrentProcess Lib "kernel32" () As Long
Private Declare Function OpenProcessToken Lib "advapi32" (ByVal ProcessHandle As Long, ByVal DesiredAccess As Long, TokenHandle As Long) As Long
Private Sub Form_Load()
    'KPD-Team 2000
    'URL: [url]http://www.allapi.net/[/url]
    'E-Mail: [email][email protected][/email]
    Dim sBuffer As String, Ret As Long, hToken As Long
    'set the graphics mode of this form to 'persistent'
    Me.AutoRedraw = True
    'create a string buffer
    sBuffer = String(255, 0)
    'retrieve the all users profile directory
    GetAllUsersProfileDirectory sBuffer, 255
    'show the result
    Me.Print StripTerminator(sBuffer)
    'create a string buffer
    sBuffer = String(255, 0)
    'retrieve the user profile directory
    GetDefaultUserProfileDirectory sBuffer, 255
    'show the result
    Me.Print StripTerminator(sBuffer)
    'create a string buffer
    sBuffer = String(255, 0)
    'retrieve the profiles directory
    GetProfilesDirectory sBuffer, 255
    'show the result
    Me.Print StripTerminator(sBuffer)
    'create a string buffer
    sBuffer = String(255, 0)
    'open the token of the current process
    OpenProcessToken GetCurrentProcess, TOKEN_QUERY, hToken
    'retrieve this users profile directory
    GetUserProfileDirectory hToken, sBuffer, 255
    'show the result
    Me.Print StripTerminator(sBuffer)
End Sub
'strips off the trailing Chr$(0)'s
Function StripTerminator(sInput As String) As String
    Dim ZeroPos As Long
    ZeroPos = InStr(1, sInput, Chr$(0))
    If ZeroPos > 0 Then
        StripTerminator = Left$(sInput, ZeroPos - 1)
    Else
        StripTerminator = sInput
    End If
End Function

that is ok, but I dont need to find the path for the special folders I need to determin if a folder exists or not. I just wrote those as example because they are hidden.

actually..... the FSO method works....

so..if the original post author is here they can 'resolve' this ...